ESPN Strikes Rights Deal With Mountain West Conference

ESPN has reached an agreement in principle for media rightsto the Mountain West Conference's football and basketball slate.

Per the agreement, ESPN gains worldwide exclusive rights forup to 16 Mountain West football games plus every Boise State home game and upto 31 conference-controlled men's basketball games. The agreement runs from2013-14 through 2019-2020. ESPN will also have TV Everywhere rights to makegames available via WatchESPN.

As part of the deal, ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC will televise atleast three Boise State football home games nationally. The Broncos' remaininghome contests will air on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN3 or ABC. Thosenetworks will also air the 16 conference-controlled football games. The 31conference-controlled basketball games will air on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWSor ESPN3.

"It's great to be back in business with theMountain West. They are a deep, high quality and competitiveconference," said Burke Magnus, ESPN senior VP of college sports. "Welook forward to once again showcasing the league's institutions,student-athletes and compelling story lines across multiple sports and ESPNplatforms."